We'll See....

Soon IE9 (Final) will be released; and many people are interested (not necessarily excited) about what's to come. Robert Johnson is a User Interface Developer who happens to be excited even though he gave up using IE since IE7.

His article lists 5 reasons he's looking forward to developing UI's for the upcoming release. He also lists a few caveats to watch out for.

Me? I'm going to give it a whirl with somewhat low expectations. I moved away from IE back around IE5. I was a reluctant user when the first IE was distributed, but I must admit, IE 9 is probably going to be pretty good at release. My problem is, they usually fall behind the curve pretty darn fast.

If you're the technical sort, I recommend reading the comments listed below the story for some interesting feedback.

Hopefully Microsoft will decide they want a higher user market-share than simply what comes shipped with Windows Operating Systems.

First Microsoft Kinect Ad Hits The Air Waves

The first ads for Microsoft Kinect have made it into the wild, and I have to say that it doesn't suck like most Microsoft ads do. Only time will tell if the Kinect will take off as well as the Wii did, but it certainly looks like fun.

Kinect is due out this November.

[Crunchgear]

Project Natal Preview

Video Games - E3 2009 - X-Play

Travel behind closed doors at Tokyo Game Show 2009 as Morgan Webb gets to try Project Natal, the new motion control technology from Microsoft, with Kudo Tsunoda the project's creative director.

Plus there’s the added bonus of seeing Morgan Webb jump around wearing a little dress.  Go ahead and call me a pig, you all are thinking the same thing.

[via G4TV]

Xbox Live Preview

Well, it looks like I will be one of the lucky ones to preview the new update for Xbox Live.  There is no exact time frame except that when it comes out they will let us know.  And then, I will let you all know.

Here is a list of some features.

I think I am most stoked about the Netflix experience.  I use it quite often and would love for it to improve even more.  I prefer it to the TiVo, because it streams a lot better.

Apple Asks Microsoft To Stop Airing Laptop Hunters Ads

Wow…. In the game of “who will blink first” ads, I never thought I would see this from Apple.
Even though Apple presents a cool ‘above it all because we’re better’ attitude to the world, that doesn’t seem to be the case behind closed doors. Case in point is the Laptop Hunters ads that Microsoft has been hitting Apple with. Although Apple responded to the ads back in May, it seems that the ads have gotten under their skin. According to Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner, who stated during the Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference today, that Apple called him with what he states "was the greatest single phone call in the history that I've ever taken in business". He states that "two weeks ago we got a call from the Apple legal department saying [...] 'Hey, you need to stop running those ads, we lowered our prices.'" He also notes that "they took like $100 off or something,"

He did ask "Is this a joke? Who are you?"

I am shocked that Apple would ask Microsoft to stop running the Laptop Hunters ads, considering that “I’m a Mac and I’m a PC” ads have been pummeling Microsoft for years now. Obviously Microsoft is getting some traction from these ads, and rightfully so. But if you’re wondering if Microsoft will stop running those ads, Turner states that Microsoft is "just going to keep running them and running them and running them."

[Ars Technica via Engadget]

Microsoft Intros "Project Natal", Nintendo Pisses Pants

Microsoft kicked off the E3 2009 with a bang this year with one of the most intriguing previews in recent history. The new technology code named "Project Natal" was introduced today with the fanfare that truly deserves. Taking what the Wii has done, and going one step further, "Project Natal" looks like it could turn the gaming world on its ear.

The new system will work with every Xbox 360 and stands to knock the Wii on its ass for interactive gaming!!!

Pricing is rumored to be about $200 and there's no word on when it will be available.

This thing is hot!!!

[Crunchgear]

Use Windows 7 RC for a year

When Microsoft makes the already-leaked release candidate for Windows 7 available for everyone next Tuesday, May 5th, they're giving the software away for a year. Its expiration date is June 1, 2010, so you can play with the shiny, smooth, all-fixed, wonderful operating system from Microsoft for almost 13 months before you have to pony up. The real, shipping version will be available toward the end of this year (it could ship as early as October 23), but that pre-shipping test "release candidate" works so well, why buy the final version?

The stickier question is, how will all of us feel about paying for Windows 7 after using it free for more than a year? Studies show that it feels great to have something given to you for free, but it hurts a whole lot more (and it's a whole lot more memorable), when something is taken away from you. But then, Microsoft is probably willing to risk this conundrum, desperately wanting to shed the negative PR juju it built up with Vista.

If you've been testing out some of the various beta builds up until now, Microsoft recommends that you start from scratch with this release candidate, also known as build a 7100. However, if you don't feel like redoing everything on your PC, there is a workaround, and it's as easy as changing one number in one file, and then you can upgrade to the release candidate.

Don’t forget you can start downloading it tomorrow.

[Dvice via PC Pro]

All Fanboys To Battle stations, Apple Hits The Air With 4 New Ads

It looks like the geniuses have struck back against Microsoft with the original and oh so clever new (insert sarcasm here) “I’m a Mac & I’m a PC” ads. Not to say that they’re not funny, just not very “Think Different” like. I was kind of thinking that Apple would respond to those Microsoft ads with a new and inventive add campaign, but no such luck.

Oh well…… Let the flame war begin over these 4 new gems.

[Crunchgear]

The True Cost of Gaming in 2009

I saw this article over at Gizmodo and thought it was pretty interesting.

With the price of Wii Motion Plus bringing the cost of a full Wiimote to a whopping $80, we thought we'd reexamine the true cost of buying a console today. Which is truly the cheapest?

We're going to pretend we're either a family of four or an apartment that wants a system loaded up with four controllers. We'll assume you want to be able to recharge your controllers rather than wasting money on disposable batteries, and we'll pick the model of each console that we'd recommend to a family member asking us for advice. We'll also factor in the cost of 2 games, because nobody buys a console without a game.

So what's the true cost of going out and buying a system today? Let's find out.

Playstation 3
Cost of console: $400 (80GB)
Cost of 3 extra controllers: $43 x 3 = $129
Cost of charging station: $25
Cost of 2 games: $120
Cost of HDMI cable: $3

Total: $677

Wii
Cost of console: $250
Cost of 3 extra controllers: $36 x 3 = $108
Cost of 3 Nunchuks: $18 x 3 = $54
Cost of 4 Wii Motion Pluses: $20 x 4 = $80
Cost of charging station w/ 4 rechargeable batteries: $49
Cost of 2 games: $100
SD card: $12 (8GB)

Total: $653

Xbox 360
Cost of console: $300 (60GB)
Cost of 3 extra controllers: $37 x 3 = $111
Cost of 2 rechargeable batteries: $12 x 2 = $24
Cost of recharging station w/ 2 rechargeable batteries: $30
Cost of 2 games: $120
Cost of Xbox Live membership: $43 (13 months)

Total: $628

As you can see, the prices of all three consoles are incredibly close, and you can obviously fiddle with these configurations to change them. If you only want 2 controllers and are planning to only play Wii Sports, the Wii is still the cheapest, but a fully-loaded Xbox 360 with a year of Live is actually cheaper than the fully-loaded Wii (although it's the only console without WiFi, so add $80 if you really need that). And the PS3 is surprisingly close in price, thanks to its controllers having built-in batteries and its free online service. The Nintendo controller scheme really rockets it up in price, and it's pretty amazing that a Wii with 4 controllers is only $24 less than a PS3 with 4 controllers.

So really, it comes down to what you want in a console. But it's surprising to see that, in real-world prices, all three systems will set you back about the same amount, with the Xbox 360 being the cheapest of them all even when you factor in a monthly fee for online gaming.

Microsoft Hits Apple Back With Effective Ad

I have to give it to Microsoft for this commercial, simply because of the timing of it. Given the fact that they have been beaten down over the last few years with the “I’m a Mac, and I’m a PC” campaign, Microsoft has gone after the only soft spot that Apple has……. Pricing!

In this ad, they have a very “I’m a Mac” artsy looking girl named Lauren who’s looking for a 17 inch laptop for under $1000. Her first stop is at an Apple store, but she’s unable to find it what she needs at the price point that she’s looking for. The commercial brilliantly casts Apple Mac heads as elitist with the subtle but clever quip of “I’m just not cool enough to be a Mac person,” The next stop is at a big box store where she finds a 17 inch HP laptop with all the specs that she’s looking for all for the low price of $699.

Now I know that fanboys in both camps will flame on about this ad, be it right or wrong. But I think that with the “I’m a Mac, and I’m a PC” campaign that Apple has had for the last few years, Apple as given the image that it is “Cool” to own a Mac. I just find in ironic that given these hard economic times that the same image might now be perceived as frivolous.

Would I like a Mac? Sure!!!

Can I afford one that will give me good performance (17’’ Dual Core)???????

Well, that’s another story.

[Techcrunch]

Rumor: Microsoft Looking To Launch Windows 7 By Holiday 2009

In what has truly signaled that Windows Vista has turned into 2008 speak for Windows ME, Microsoft has (mistakenly) leaked that they have a goal to ship their new OS Windows 7 by mid-2009. Word has that Microsoft plans to have Windows 7 pre-installed on most machines for the 2009 holiday season. So come this time next year, you could have your hands on the new Windows OS.

Not so sure that this is a good thing, but perhaps abandoning Vista’s negative stigma (deserved or not) might be the way to go for Microsoft.

[Crunchgear]

Say WhAAAA?!?!!?!?

Nobody checked with me first about this....

Microsoft (Finally!) Response To Apple Adds

I guess that Microsoft got tired of taking it in the moon from the “I’m a Mac, and I’m a PC” add campaign from Apple. As Microsoft has finally created commercials that respond to the long over run adds that Apple will not move on from. Don’t get me wrong, the Apple commercials were funny and effective. But I’m just tired of them, and was looking for Apple to “Think different” with another wave of innovative adds.

Oh, well…… I’d guess I rather them use the brain power towards something like copy & paste and landscape texting for the iPhone.

[Crunchgear]

Manifesto Of The Red Ring Of Death: How Not To Launch A Console

If you wanted to know the ins and outs of why the famous "Red Ring of Death" that has plagued the Xbox 360, you might want to check this article out. It certainly is a long read but if you own a 360, you owe it to yourself to go through it.

After I read it I wasn't sure if I should praise the engineers who had to pick up this mess, or shake my head for a disaster that could've been averted. Let this be a lesson to everyone that sometimes, going cheap can cost you in the long run.

In Microsoft's case, the cost was huge!!!

[via Crunchgear]

Windows Vista Skin For iphone: Whaattt?

I think I just heard Steve Jobs head just explode.

For any self loathing Microsoft fan who knows that the iphone is a remarkable gadget, but needs a bath for wanting to buy a Apple product, this is your cup of tea. This has to be one of the best iphone (or worst) skins that's out there. The Windows Vista skin for the iphone has over 90 icons, dock, wallpaper, Vista sound effects, and even a start button.

It's not available through Installer yet, so you need to have a jailbreak iphone and be willing to put in some work because the install isn't simple.

I have to admit that I had a good laugh at this one.

[Modmyifone via Gizmodo]

Windows XP SP3 Is Unofficially Available For Download

If you're an Windows XP fan who's been waiting for the release of SP3 but that April 29th seems just to far away, you can get you an unofficial copy right now. So if you have the guts to download unproven Service Packs and install them on your system, you can find them via MajorGeeks and Softpedia. I think I'm just gonna wait, but for you brave ones, let me know how it goes.

[Major Geeks and Softpedia via Gizmodo]

Kid Brakes Vacuum To Get Out Of Chores, Mom Sells Xbox And Pwnd MySpace Account

Photo courtesy of Gizmodo
I love stories like this!!!

A 13-year old kid was told by his mom to do his chores instead of playing Xbox 360. The kid thought he would get out of it by intentionally braking the vacuum cleaner.

Mom wasn't having it!!!

She's selling his 360 on Craig's list along with all of his games, which are some good ones too! To add to it, she found out that he was also looking at porn by checking the cookies on the computer. Gizmodo got a chance to speak with the mom, and here's what she said:
"My 13 year old managed to break the vacuum....thinking it would release him from that duty. He also has a list of other chores that were TYPED up for him to do Friday afternoon....one thing on the list was done...mind you these are simple things...empty the trash, clean your room, etc. Then I go thru the cookies on his computer and find out he has been checking out porn sites. Now there is a password so he can't even get on and his my-space page has a picture of snoopy on it now. Apparently I'm the meanest mom in the world, were his words. I'm a single mom. I can't let them walk over me or I might never get up."

Mom's got some geek cred. I love it!!!

[Craigslist via Gizmodo]

Upgrade to Vista SP1? Not if you dual boot you don't.

Here's your weekly public service announcement: That sucking noise you hear is from Redmond, where Microsoft engineers have short-sighted the implementation of SP1 for Vista [apcmag].

One of those necessary bug swats in the service pack does an integrity check that rummages around the bootloader. If your bootloader has been replaced, i.e. with a Linux dual boot that uses Grub, then Vista SP1 will fail its integrity check and the service pack will not proceed. So, If you’re dualbooting Windows Vista Enterprise or Ultimate alongside a Linux distro, and have installed the Linux bootloader into the MBR, then you’re guaranteed to run into problems when installing Vista Service Pack 1

Thanks, Microsoft. Thanks for nothing. Some people really get a kick out of the new graphical interface, but the rest of us can't run it on our machines without a hardware upgrade. I'm not running Vista. I nearly experimented with it, toying with the fun of learning the pitfalls versus the frustration of climbing back out of them, and it would have been in a dual-boot configuration.

I'm glad I went Linux instead.

Xbox 360 Wiimote Coming This Year, Code Name: Newton

Well it looks like Microsoft is jumping on the Wii bandwagon with their own version of the Wiimote. Microsoft confirmed that they're in development of a Xbox 360 motion sensitive controller similar to the Wii controller, with a code name of Newton. The 360mote will have a LED sensor bar (like the Wii), but will one up the Wii by having a built in microphone. Jesus Diaz from Gizmodo did a great mock up job, base on MTV's sketch.

No release date has been announced, but it's rumored for late '08.

[8bitjoystick via Gizmodo]

Surface surfaces

OK...so maybe Microsoft does have a plan for Surface.

So what you see here is exactly what AT&T and Microsoft will be deploying to a handful of stores on April 17 -- 12 stores in four cities, to be exact -- and we have to admit, this appears to be a pretty flawless execution of the Surface's user interface concepts and a great business model for the 30 inch, multitouch monster to undertake. Being able to throw down a phone or two and get specs, review plans, and compare features is simply jaw-droppingly cool, though what really got us was another feature that AT&T has apparently been tossing around as a future possibility: device-to-device transfer. The idea is that a customer would walk in to purchase a new phone, place both phones on the surface, and contacts, photos, music, and so on stored on the old handset would appear on the Surface, where they could be selectively dragged to the new one or discarded.



[Thanks Engadget]